Did Japan Have an M1 Garand Rifle of Their Own in World War II?

Japan wanted their own M1 Garand-style rifle in World War II.

Captured weapons were reverse engineered by the Japanese in World War II in hopes of success.

Ian from Forgotten Weapons examines a Japanese Type 4 Garand Rifle that shows their approach to the classic military rifle.

Imitation is the most sincere flattery, except with wartime weapons. Japan liked what they saw with captured American M1 Garand rifles, and wanted a copy of their own.

While not an exact copy, this rifle had some Japanese-style rifle features with the operating system of the American M1 Garand. The rifles were mostly just a combination of parts, and did not make it to actual known combat.

As General Patton once said, the M1 Garand was “the greatest battle implement ever devised.” The Japanese would probably agree.